Man arrested for scrap metal theft

Second man sought

MOSES LAKE - A man was arrested for allegedly stealing about $2,000 worth of scrap metal and equipment from a Moses Lake construction company.

James Douglas Holland, 36, of Moses Lake, was arrested Thursday by Moses Lake police on suspicion of first-degree theft and resisting arrest, according to jail records.

Authorities may issue an arrest warrant for a second suspect, a 45-year-old Moses Lake man whose identity is known by authorities, said Grant County Chief Deputy John Turley on Friday.

The suspect was last seen running into a swamp area, possibly near Road 5 Northeast, Moses Lake police records indicate.

The alleged theft started at North Central Construction on Kittleson Road in Moses Lake when workers allegedly saw Holland and the second suspect take metal from the scrap yard, police records state. The

workers also saw the suspects allegedly throw items from the truck when it was moving.

It's believed the workers got into a vehicle and followed the suspects, Moses Lake Police Capt. Dave Ruffin said. The workers called police, he added.

A Grant County deputy spotted the suspects' truck in the area of Road 5 and Road L, Turley said.

The suspects reportedly jumped from the truck while it was moving. The truck crashed into a shop off Road 5, damaging the building.

The suspects allegedly ran into a swamp and Holland was located by authorities. The second man was not found.

Numerous pieces of equipment and metals were later returned to the owner, Ruffin said.